What is Mental Health?

It is difficult to find a concept as vague and as frequently invoked as that of mental health (Hiriart, 2018). This term is used to refer to an individual's state or condition, to a conceptual and practical field within public health, to a range of psychiatric disorders and psychosocial problems, and even to various political, healthcare, and social activities (Hiriart, 2018). Therefore, in line with Pradas (2018), defining this concept is crucial in order to properly address psychological disorders, mental illnesses, and to maintain a general state of good health.

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What is Mental Health?

Mental health is a fundamental and inseparable part of overall health (World Health Organization, 2018). So much so that there can be no health without mental health. This is supported by the definition proposed by the World Health Organization (WHO), which defines health as a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. In other words, according to the WHO (2018), mental health is a state of well-being in which individuals can realize their own abilities, cope with the normal stresses of life, work productively, and contribute to their communities.

This means that mental health results from multiple interrelated factors that are part of daily life (Carrasco et al., 2015). It does not depend solely on physical aspects, but also on psychological, environmental, and socioeconomic elements (Carrasco et al., 2015). In this sense, mental health forms the foundation of individual well-being and the effective functioning of communities (World Health Organization, 2018). Therefore, mental health and happiness are essential pillars for clear thinking, emotional expression, meaningful relationships, and enjoyment of life (World Health Organization, 2018). Emotional bonds play a central role in this process (Carrasco et al., 2015). Conversely, according to Carrasco et al. (2015), situations such as social isolation, loss of interest, discouragement, or stress in the face of adverse events may lead to disorders such as depression or other mental illnesses.

Likewise, individuals may be affected by various risk factors, including low socioeconomic status, job insecurity, unemployment, the challenges of adapting to new technologies, or the displacement caused by migration (Carrasco et al., 2015). Similarly, the consumption and abuse of psychoactive substances not only accelerate aging, but also represent a significant factor in the development of severe mental disorders. From this perspective, and in accordance with the World Health Organization (2018), promoting well-being, preventing mental disorders, and providing treatment and rehabilitation for those affected are fundamental priorities for individuals, communities, and societies globally.

History of Mental Health

From the end of World War II to the present, mental health has held a central role in academic, political, and everyday life in Western societies (Hiriart, 2018). In 1946, the Mental Health Association was founded in London, and two years later, the same city hosted the First International Mental Health Conference. In 1948, the World Health Organization established a department dedicated exclusively to this issue, and in 1949, the National Institute of Mental Health was created in the United States. According to Hiriart (2018), these milestones reflect decades of sustained interest from the world’s leading powers—an interest that continues to grow exponentially rather than diminish.

In 1950, the World Health Organization introduced the first official definition of mental health, influenced by dynamic psychiatry (Hiriart, 2018). This definition outlined three criteria for considering someone mentally healthy: the ability to successfully synthesize one’s own instincts, even when potentially conflicting; the ability to establish and maintain harmonious relationships; and the capacity to modify one’s physical and social environment. In 1958, social psychologist Marie Jahoda authored a report on mental health commissioned by the Joint Committee on Mental Illness and Health. This work, widely disseminated and later simplified, has become a key reference for subsequent definitions. According to Hiriart (2018), Jahoda’s proposed criteria include: a realistic self-concept, identity, and self-esteem; the pursuit of personal growth and self-actualization; integration of the self and lived experiences; autonomy; an objective perception of reality; and the capacity to adapt to the environment along with the effective achievement of goals.

References

1. Carrasco, E., et al. (2015). Voluntariado en Salud Mental. Obtenido 12 Noviembre 2020, de https://www.uma.es/media/tinyimages/file/Voluntariado_en_Salud_Mental.pdf

2. Hiriart, G. (2018). De qué hablamos cuando hablamos de salud mental?. Obtenido 12 Noviembre 2020, de https://www.redalyc.org/jatsRepo/279/27957772009/html/index.html

3. Organización Mundial de la Salud. (2020). Salud mental. Obtenido 12 Noviembre 2020, de https://www.who.int/topics/mental_health/es/

4. Organización Mundial de la Salud. (2018). Salud mental: fortalecer nuestra respuesta. Obtenido 12 Noviembre 2020, de https://www.who.int/es/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mental-health-strengthening-our-response

5. Pradas, C. (2018). Salud mental: definición según la psicología. psicologia-online.com. Recuperado 26 August 2021, a partir de https://www.psicologia-online.com/salud-mental-definicion-segun-la-psicologia-4196.html

6. Pregúntale a Norby. [Pregúntale a Norby]. (2020, Octubre 17). COMO SE SI NECESITO TERAPIA? [Descubre que es la terapia y cual es su SECRETO] [Archivo de video]. Recuperado de https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_CVMh6Hz1k